Mikel Arteta Told To Rest 5 Arsenal First Team Players against Southampton Today [List]

Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has recommended that five Gunners players be rested as they face bottom club Southampton on tonight at the Emirates Stadium.

After suffering two consecutive draws, in which they squandered two-goal leads against Liverpool and West Ham, Arsenal look to bounce back against a struggling Southampton side, who have only won one of their last eight Premier League games.

With the Gunners currently sitting atop the league standings, four points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand, the Friday night fixture presents the ideal opportunity for Mikel Arteta‘s side to maintain their title push.

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However, ahead of the crucial encounter with City next week, Aliadiere has suggested that Arteta should consider resting five players against the Saints, to avoid burnout and ensure that they are fit and ready for the title showdown.

Aliadiere’s recommendations have yet to be confirmed by Arteta, who will have to balance his squad’s workload carefully as they pursue domestic and European success.

In an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk, Aliadiere was of the opinion that Buyako Saka looked tired against West Ham on Sunday,

‘He was rested before the Liverpool game. He’s played a lot of games and has been amazing this season but I think you are right.

‘Playing against Southampton, Gabriel Martinelli and Buyako Saka have played a lot this season and these players that carry the ball a lot, they dribble and cover a lot of ground, it’s the end of the season and they are still young. He also suggested dropping Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard

‘On Friday night I agree Arsenal should rest those players. We’ve got Leandro Trossard and Emile Smith Rowe and players who have not played much football lately. They are ready to come in and do a job for Arsenal.

‘I’m sure Mikel Arteta will be thinking of that, especially with the Manchester City game in mind, which comes quickly after. I agree he will probably rest Saka and see how the game goes.

‘If he doesn’t need to come on (from the bench) then great, give him the day off! Get him ready for that Manchester City game.’

‘I think you’ve got a very fair point – Thomas Partey was not at his best against West Ham. He was losing the ball too cheaply and did not seem sharp.

‘As a player, some days you just don’t feel it. You don’t know why, you get on the pitch and you are not as sharp as you were in training a few days ago or in the last game.

‘Mikel Arteta is seeing players every day on the field, he will know, but I totally agree. If I was manager I would rotate for that game and change some of the boys who look tired to get them refreshed and ready for the Manchester City game.

‘That’s going to be the one you don’t want to lose. As much as they are top players who have performed so well this season, I think against Southampton we have got enough players – Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Jorginho – to have them in the starting XI and still win the game.’

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Aliadiere, who is involved with the media team at Arsenal, also provided insight into the mood within the team’s camp after their last two costly results.

‘They’re still feeling very confident and it is still in their hands,’ the Frenchman said.

‘I think it is more the press and the public around the club who are making them feel that they are out of it. The game against Manchester City away is coming up, it’s like it is already lost in people’s minds.

‘That won’t be in the players’ minds at all. Arsenal have proven this season that they can go anywhere and get a result.

‘City are a top side and we know it will be a difficult game but I still believe that Arsenal can go there and not lose.

‘Everything is to play and it’s in our hands. I’d rather be in our situation than having to chase like City. That would have been a tougher situation.

‘The last two results have been very disappointing and the boys are very down about it. They are maybe not really understanding how it happened.

‘They were 2-0 up and started both games really well. It seems that after 25, 30 minutes things are changing.

‘They don’t have much of an explanation for it or an understanding. It’s one of those things where it has just happened.

‘They are still very, very confident and Mikel Arteta has a big job on his hands to keep the boys believing. It’s not because of those two results that the race is over, it’s far from it.’

According to former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere, the Gunners can secure their first top-flight title in 19 years and finish above Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side with a “one million per cent” confidence.

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Aliadiere’s bold claim comes as Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, four points ahead of City, who have a game in hand. Arsenal have been in superb form in recent weeks, going undefeated in their last 10 league games, and will look to continue their impressive run against Southampton on Friday night.

Despite the challenge posed by City, who have won four of the last five Premier League titles, Aliadiere believes that Arsenal have what it takes to end their long wait for the title. However, he also acknowledged that the Gunners must take each game as it comes and not get ahead of themselves.

Arteta’s side has certainly shown great potential this season, but they will face many tough challenges in the coming weeks, including their crucial away game at City next week. It remains to be seen if they can maintain their form and mount a serious title challenge until the end of the season.